Effectiveness of Psychological Capital Intervention and Its Influence on Work-Related Attitudes: Daily Online Self-Learning Method and Randomized Controlled Trial Design

Abstract

Research on positive psychology intervention is in its infancy; only a few empirical studies have proved the effectiveness and benefits of psychological capital interventions in workplaces. From a practical perspective, a more convenient intervention approach is needed for when organizations have difficulties in finding qualified trainers. This study aims to extend the psychological capital intervention (PCI) model and examine its influence on work-related attitudes. A daily online self-learning approach and a randomized controlled trial design are utilized. A final sample of 104 full-time employees, recruited online, is randomly divided into three groups to fill in self-report questionnaires immediately before (T1), immediately after (T2), and one week after (T3) the intervention. The results indicate that the intervention is effective at improving psychological capital (PsyCap), increasing job satisfaction, and reducing turnover intention. The practical implications for human resource managers conducting a flexible and low-cost PsyCap intervention in organizations are discussed. Limitations related to sample characteristics, short duration effect, small sample size, and small effect size are also emphasized. Due to these non-negligible drawbacks of the study design, this study should only be considered as a pilot study of daily online self-learning PsyCap intervention research.

Mitigating Effect of Psychological Capital on Employees’ Withdrawal Behavior in the Presence of Job Attitudes: Evidence From Five-Star Hotels in Malaysia

“…The causal mediated correlations in this model can be explained via Conservation of Resources Theory ( Hobfoll, 1989 ). Although our findings regarding the effect of PsyCap are similar to the results of some previous studies (e.g., Da et al, 2020 ; Hua, 2020 ; Junaid et al, 2020 ; Sepeng et al, 2020 ), we provide a new insight in this study that OC and JS exert mediating effects simultaneously. This filled a research gap and declared the effects of OC and JS on turnover intention within a hotel.…”

Psychometric Properties of Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24) in the Lithuanian Population

“…As indicated above, several studies documented that psychological capital is related to life satisfaction [ 34 , 36 , 43 ] and positive wellbeing [ 34 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 ], not to mention many positive work-related outcomes [ 27 , 33 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. This research also demonstrated strong positive associations between satisfaction with life and PsyCap.…”

“…More than a decade ago, Fred Luthans and colleagues introduced the construct of psychological capital (PsyCap) and psychological capital intervention. Studies have confirmed that psychological capital and its interventions can effectively enhance employability [ 27 ], or at least they are related to reduced work-related problems [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] and increase in life satisfaction [ 36 , 37 ]. In the context of the Lithuanian situation, the accurate assessment of psychological capital acquires a special significance.…”

“…As mentioned above, research has documented associations between psychological capital and several wellbeing outcomes, including health [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], life satisfaction [ 36 , 43 ], quality of life [ 44 ], employment [ 27 ], academic performance [ 45 ], not to mention many positive work-related outcomes [ 33 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

“…Moreover, focusing on a different context (organizational context), Da et al [ 8 ] explored, through a randomized controlled trial design, the effectiveness and feasibility of a brief online intervention (20 min during 5 days) to enhance psychological capital in workplaces (PsyCap intervention). Participants randomized to the experimental condition received daily online links with some lectures to read and activities to practice regarding how to develop efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism.…”